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Ali
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| Joined: | Sat Jan 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 622 |
| First Name: | Ali | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | JW, finally fully Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Mar 1st, 2007 01:22 pm |
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Does anyone have one, and how does it work?
It's a relatively new concept to me. And while I know it isn't so, it seems rather like idolotry to me. Is it just another name for a "prayer corner"? I've read some people change their's with the litergical calender. Where do you get ideas from? LOL, I'm rather decorating/craft challenged as it is  .
I do know in more non-Christian hs'ing circles it's popular to have a season table, celebrating the seasons. Is it similar to one of those? FTR, we tried one one year, and our fall acorns got left out until spring. LOL, see, challenged.
But it might be a useful corner for us to have in the house. I'm thinking my 6 year old would really appriciate one, and enjoy helping me decorate it, heck my older daughter would love to as well! We could focus ourselves there when saying the Rosary and doing our "God Lesson". A place free of distraction.
Thoughts, opinions? Can we share pictures if anyone has one? I think that would be a tremendous help!
Ali
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Mar 1st, 2007 03:58 pm |
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Ali wrote: Does anyone have one, and how does it work?
It's a relatively new concept to me. And while I know it isn't so, it seems rather like idolotry to me. Is it just another name for a "prayer corner"?
Basically, yes. A home altar (note the "ar" ending; "alter" is a verb that means to change) is where you put a candle, maybe something to play music, a statue of a favorite saint (if you have one), etc. Most people will have some holy water as well, to bless themselves when they pray. It can be as simple or elaborate as you want. It is not idolatry because you're not "worshiping" the statues; you're using them as a reminder to you to emulate the character strengths of the persons represented. I have a statue of Mary I bought in Haiti that is hand-carved from ebony, and it's beautiful. When I see it, I remember the poor people I saw in Haiti and it reminds me to pray for them. I also think of our Blessed Mother and all the sacrifices she made for her son. I also have a statue of St. Francis of Asissi, which reminds me to "preach the gospel at all times." Your altar/prayer corner could have a small bookshelf with a bible, a prayer book, and maybe a book of daily meditations.
I've read some people change their's with the litergical calender. Where do you get ideas from? LOL, I'm rather decorating/craft challenged as it is .
It's appropriate to have a cloth in the color of the season (Lent is purple, Easter is white). Also, if you have a banner on the wall that says "Alleluia" it should come down in Lent in favor of something with a theme of repentance. Visit a Catholic store and you'll see lots of ideas.
I do know in more non-Christian hs'ing circles it's popular to have a season table, celebrating the seasons. Is it similar to one of those? FTR, we tried one one year, and our fall acorns got left out until spring. LOL, see, challenged.
That could be part of the decoration, but the theme should revolve around prayer.
But it might be a useful corner for us to have in the house. I'm thinking my 6 year old would really appriciate one, and enjoy helping me decorate it, heck my older daughter would love to as well!
That's enough reason to have one right there.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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SBC2RCC
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 119 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Mar 1st, 2007 08:16 pm |
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Dear Ali,
I tried to hit the quote button, but I am not sure that it worked. You asked if anyone has a home altar, and how it works.
Yes, first off. It now is a collection of statues, pictures, icons, and candles along my bookshelf. Also a crucifix, of course.
Many people put up one version of home altar or another. To me, it is composed of things that help us focus on spiritual truth. The nativity scene is a classic, reminding us of Jesus' birth.
Many years back I was especially drawn to religious icons. These are viewed as "windows into heaven." As I came to Catholic faith, I added a statue of Mary and St. Patrick. The crucifix was given to us long before becoming catholic by a friend who is a priest.
I find that it is good to sit viewing these reminders for faith while praying and reading devotionally.
I wish I could uplink a picture, but my computer with the file is presently in storage.
Monte
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In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
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wmschrader
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| Joined: | Fri Dec 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Fort Myers, Florida USA |
| Posts: | 82 |
| First Name: | Bill | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Mar 2nd, 2007 11:22 am |
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The link describes a home altar for a preschool child - might work for your 6 year old.
http://www.catholicculture.org/lit/activities/view.cfm?id=7
____________________
Bill
Glory be to God for all things
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sweetyface17
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| Joined: | Sun Mar 11th, 2007 |
| Location: | Hudson, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 43 |
| First Name: | Mandy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lutheran, Considering Catholicism |
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Posted: Thu Mar 15th, 2007 11:19 am |
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| I have one. It has candles, a statue of Christ, a little lace cloth over it, and a crucifix hanging above it. It's in a very small room that has sort of become my "meditation room" I say the Rosary and my other prayers, do my Bible study, and that sort of thing. I try to keep the room free of strictly secular stuff, to avoid being distacted. It helps a lot to have a specific place at home to go where your heart and mind automatically say "Alright, it's time to get serious about God." It helps me to seperate myself from my worries and everyday stuff so that I can focus on what is important.
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Ali
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| Joined: | Sat Jan 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 622 |
| First Name: | Ali | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | JW, finally fully Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Mar 19th, 2007 09:48 am |
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sweetyface17 wrote: I have one. It has candles, a statue of Christ, a little lace cloth over it, and a crucifix hanging above it. It's in a very small room that has sort of become my "meditation room" I say the Rosary and my other prayers, do my Bible study, and that sort of thing. I try to keep the room free of strictly secular stuff, to avoid being distacted. It helps a lot to have a specific place at home to go where your heart and mind automatically say "Alright, it's time to get serious about God." It helps me to seperate myself from my worries and everyday stuff so that I can focus on what is important.
As in introvert, a person who craves quiet and alone time, this sounds wonderful to me! Am I awful that I already have plans for my 10 year old daughter's room for when she moves out?
As it is -- I'm still trying to accumulate stuff to put in a prayer corner. A benifit auction for my dd's school was over the weekend. A grandparent had made a replica of the original school chapel out of wood. It is truly beautiful. It's a memory box, the lid lifts off. So somehow, I am going to incorporate that.
Thanks for everyone's suggestions, and links!
Ali
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sweetyface17
Member
| Joined: | Sun Mar 11th, 2007 |
| Location: | Hudson, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 43 |
| First Name: | Mandy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lutheran, Considering Catholicism |
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Posted: Mon Mar 19th, 2007 12:48 pm |
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Lol, yes, I am an introvert.
Maybe you could put little slips of paper in there with the names of people you know or organizations that don't always find their way into your everyday prayers. Then, every day, take a slip out, and take a few moments to focus on that person or group. Just an idea.
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